Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won, is, to
say the least, a game-changing happenstance. Apart from a change of
baton from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, the historic
outcome of that election will define tomorrow's governorship and state
Houses of Assembly elections.
Considering Buhari's landslide victory in Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kebbi,
Jigawa, Kaduna and Zamfara states, there is no gainsaying that
gubernatorial candidates of the APC in these states could be having
easier rides to the government houses of the respective states.
There is general feeling that there may be a bandwagon effect in the
voting pattern in the April 11 governorship and state assembly
elections in the affected states. Similarly, the results of the last
election equally show that APC is in a comfortable position, having
swept the majority votes in five of the six states in the region. Some
political pundits, however, believe that the governorship election may
not follow the same pattern, especially in Lagos, Oyo and Ogun states.
Permutations and Defections
After the presidential election, politicians have been hopping from
the PDP to the APC in what is clearly a singular desire to be part of
the system and partake in the sharing of the national cake, that is,
if it will still be business as usual. Hence, political analysts and,
indeed, the populace have been engaging in political permutations of
what could occur in states hitherto considered as core PDP strongholds
and vice versa for the APC.
Abia State
Mrs Eunice Uzor Kalu, leader of the Reality Organisation in the
South-East and mother of former Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor
Kalu, and her members have joined the APC. This necessitated a
high-powered thank you visit from Buhari to Imo State.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo also endorsed APC for Abia. This was contained in
a statement signed by Chief Ralph Obioha, Caretaker Committee chairman
of Ohanaeze in Enugu.
Abia, however, presents an interesting spectacle, owing to the sharp
political division in the state. For the governorship race, it is a
straight battle between PDP, APGA and PPA. Sir Chikwe Udensi is of the
PPA, while Dr Alex Otti is flying the flag of the All Progressives
Grand Alliance (APGA) while Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is of the PDP.
Although, the PDP won the presidential and National Assembly elections
in the state, the unpopularity of the governor, Dr T.A Orji, may count
against the governorship candidate of the PDP. Besides, the clamour
for a governor of Ukwa-Ngwa extraction may work in favour of Otti, the
former Diamond Bank chief executive. The axis has never produced a
governor before, despite having a high population.
Jigawa State
The defection of the deputy governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Mahmud
Gumel, and others may have radically altered the political paradigm of
the state ahead of the gubernatorial election in the state.
This therefore has given room for the Buhari factor which has become
very strong and all-consuming. A new Jigawa is likely to emerge after
the coming polls. The issue of emirate dichotomy, the rivalry between
Governor Sule Lamido and former Governor Taminu Turaki will have a
minimal role to play. The coast is clear for the "Change" hurricane
Kwara State
Senator Gbemisola Saraki and the PDP youth leader, Chief Segun
Olawoyin, are the latest in the state to defect from the PDP to the
APC.
The Kwara State governorship election is expected to be a three-way
affair as the ruling APC, the PDP and Labour Party (LP) are the three
major parties out of the 16 parties that fielded candidates for the
election. The governorship poll is expected to be the most keenly
contested in the history of Kwara State.
The APC has the incumbent Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed as its flag
bearer. Senator Simeon Sule Ajibola is for the PDP while Dr Mike
Omotosho is flying the flag of Labour Party.
Omotosho, who was the coordinator of the Jonathan Actualisation
Movement, one of the support groups for Jonathan's re-election, dumped
the PDP for the LP after losing the House of Representatives ticket
during the party's primary.
Continue reading at Leadership news:
http://leadership.ng/news/424404/tomorrows-elections-states-that-may-feel-the-buhari-factor
No comments:
Post a Comment